Food Waste Behaviours (Students) Intern with Zero Waste Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) is Scotland’s circular economy expert. They believe that moving to a more circular economy, where we minimise waste and make things last for longer, has potential to transform our economy and sustain our natural environment.

Zero Waste Scotland exists to create a society where resources are valued and nothing is wasted. Their work is becoming ever more critical against a global backdrop of rising population, climate change and unprecedented pressure on the world’s land, water, energy and raw materials.

They are working to create a more circular economy where products and materials are kept in high value use for as long as possible. A large part of ZWS's work is helping individuals and businesses become more resource efficient. This all contributes to the Scottish Government’s circular economy strategy and the EU’s Europe 2020 growth strategy.

The Role

Food waste is one of ZWS's main organisational priorities. They are leading work to develop proposals for meeting the Scottish Government’s target to reduce Scotland’s food waste by 33% by 2025. As part of this, Love Food Hate Waste aims to empower people to make better choices around food and to take appropriate actions to prevent waste occurring in the first place.

ZWS has identified key target groups based on proportionately higher levels of food waste produced across different demographics. Individuals in the 18-34 age range, which most students fall into, is one of the identified groups. ZWS is looking for an enthusiastic intern to take responsibility for the development and delivery of a project that will contribute to our understanding of student behaviour around shopping for, preparing and disposing of food.

The successful candidate will sit within the Food Waste team. Working closely with, and being directed by the Project Manager, you will develop a project plan that will involve a range of activities that will help us understand how much and what type of food of wasted most, what the causes are and what might be done to reduce it.

The project will rely on assistance from partner organisations so you will be required to build good relationships. You will engage with and encourage students to complete food waste and shopping diaries, and then provide them with ongoing support throughout the project. You will help devise an incentive encouraging students to remain part of the project. You will provide a briefing to the participating students prior to the study and you will assist in running a workshop after it is complete. You will then present your findings to colleagues and partners and make recommendations for future engagement

This role is based in our Stirling office located next to Stirling railway station and is conveniently accessed from across central Scotland.

Zero Waste Scotland would like to hear from enthusiastic applicants, who are proficient in time management and have good attention to detail. You will be a good team player with the ability to work to your own initiative and be adaptable in responding to changing project priorities.

To be successful in this role you will:

• Be educated to degree level or experienced in a relevant discipline• Have confident interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills• Have an understanding of the food and drinks industry and the resulting problems of food waste• Have experience in survey work and data evaluation• Have an understanding of behaviour change principles• Have knowledge of MS Office, including Excel

Please submit a CV and covering letter through the Adopt An Intern online application form on our website. All applications must be submitted by 12 noon on the closing date. State A) your availability and B) relevant information on your skills/experience pertaining to the job specifications. We do NOT accept email applications unless otherwise stated.

Successful candidates must, by the start of the employment, have permission to work in the UK.